Hopper.



UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT F. ROCKWELL, OF BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR T0 THE NEW DEPAR- TUBE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 0F BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

HOPPEB..

Application tiled October 2, 1911.

To all whom 'it may co neem.'

Be it known that I, Annen-r I". RoeiuvELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bristol, county of Hartford, State of Connecticut, have invented a certain new and useful Hopper, of which the following is a full, clear, and-exact description, such as `will enable others skilled in the art to which it appcrtains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specilication.

My invention relates to hoppers, and is particularly al'iplicable to hoppers employed in feeding spherical articles, such as balls for ball bearings, which, while being manufacturcd, are automatically fed to grinding or sorting 4machines and the like.

Customarily, receptacles of this sort have an opening at the bottom for the outlet of the balls, and the balls in approaching or passing through such outlet sometimes become wedged and clogged, so that they do not feed freely through the same.

One object of my invention is to provide a hopper so constructed that the articles therein contained may be readily fed therefrom.

A further object is to provide a feeding receptacle having feeding means of such character that the articles acted upon cannot become clogged in the receptacle.

T o'these ends and also to improve gencrally upon devices of the character indicated, my invention consists in the various,

matters hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings Figure l Y is a plan view, partial broken away of a hopper embodying my invention; and Fig. 2 1s an elevation, chiefly ncross-section, partially broken away.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention -1- indicates the side walls of the receptacle or hopper adapted to receive urticles, such'as ba ls, which I prefer to put in motion in such a manner as to cause them to be fed freely to the outlet of my hopper.

N ear the base of the receptacle, the sides, as at -2-, flare outwardly, and are preferably secured to It supporting base -8--, as by being bolted t creto. 'Refvolubl mounted on the base -3- is a. conica. shaped bottom -4-, as preferably constructed, on which a. mass of balls is adapted to rest. A convenient and preferable means V of supporting and driving this conical bot- Specicatlon of Letters Patent.

Patented Ieb. 29, 191

Serial No. 652,408.

tom is by fastening the. same upon a revoluble support, such as the spindle --5-. Preferably, this spindle -5- is adjustable longitudinally, so that the conical bottom *L1-7 may-bc arran ed at any desired distance from the liarccgl sides -2- of my receptacle, whereby the width of the passage or channel` as at -8-, between these flared sides and the conical bottom, may be varied to accommodate balls of any desired size. At times it is desirable to arrange the width of the passage, as at S--, to accommodate two se} 'ai-atc rows of balls, although customarily it 'sadjusted to receive a single row. The channel 8 here shown has the advantage that by it the articles are spread out in a row (or rows) upon the bottom in position to bc fed one-at-a-time therefrom.

As the bottom 4.- revolves, the balls adjacent to it revolve, as does also a considerable portion of the mass of balls in the re- (eptacle. The balls, as they revolve, work toward the periphery of the moving inclined bottom, and the bottom row as it revolves is fed into the outlet -9-. As the balls or other articles reach this outlet they are consecutively delivered thereto in a regular and orderly manner without jamming or clogging. This feeding of the balls continues as longr as the conical bottom 4.- revolves.

The outlet., as 9. is here shown as provid in the side wall'3n of the base 3, extendin away from the movable bottom 4 approxlmatch1 at a tangent thereto, and havin as is preferable, a diameter suliiciently s ort to 4maintain a single-file arrangement of the articles. In the illustrated device such singlefile arrangement may be first brought about by thc channel In order that the outlet may have the various desired diameters, corresponding, for example, to the a proximate diameters of the articles of the various batchesioperated upon, a. series of detachis shown as y sectors im shape an held in assembl Vrelation vilth the wall 3 by the tie-bands 16. l

The longitudinaladjustmentof the spndie -5- and thereby the conical bottoni -4, whereby the wldth of the. passa as at -8- is varied, is preferably as fo ows:

The spindle is shouldered as at l0- and thercbj,r rests on and is moved with the inner nienibcr of a longitudinal, movable bearing "ll- The outer member of said 5 bearing A-1.lpreferably vests on a plate J9/k positivi-ly secured, as by screws which is threaded to this. hase as at -l4.-

and therebj` when the sleew 3T-- is turned 1o is longitudinally movable with respect to x .c base. The zipper hearing -6 is adapted to nuire longitudinally with and to guide the spindle, and to tliiis hold the conieai bottom in place. as it revolves.

The inner member 0l". both the bearings and -1l revolve with the spindle, and the revolving of the spindle and thereby the conical bott-om -1- may be accomplislied in any convenient manner, prefer- .20 ably by means engaging the lower end of the spindle '-5 siich :is a system ot pulley and beiting not shown in the drawings.

I thus provide a device which is simple in structure and operation, and which posi tively and accurately' fer-ds or delivers the articles being acted upon.

It will be understood that. although' ihave. more particularly described a recep' tacle having a c-'iiiical Vflaieanizl a conical bot- 301mmns'this'is a preferal'ile o i since `with it gravity aids in carrying the articles to the .periphery of the bottom, the flare and the coperating bottom need not necessarily be conicalor inclined as the centrifugal force fipgeiierated by the rotation of the bottom and the 't-endenci7 of the articles "o move toward the portions of the base having' the greatest linear .speed may'be. utilized alone to move the articles into and through the passages,

" ns8. A

l-Iiivingr tliiis -described my invention, wliat'l claim as new and desire to secure by L tiers Patent isf-Ai -Iit` a" feeding hopper for individually di g tlie'ieleiiiejiits of a batch ol' likeqhariietered-'itiele s in roiiibinatioii. a? 'reccpj tat'lei2liviiig sides; foi-ming a flare, and' 'a traveling lznttilm udiailzeiit, wn'ipera'tin'with aniliarrzingednt ii Adistance `fromfsai .arc'

7" io 4iii-mide afpassa'getliere bengnn'outlct Kadiaceni said bottoni-roi a .diameter haring articles te bef fedthei'ob diameter of the artic thereto and of a diameter having a leiwth less flian twice the diameter of the artidles to be fed thereby to maintain a single lille arrangement of said articles; siibstantiallv as described. A i

3. In a feeding,r hopper for iiidiridiiallr feedinzgr the elements of a batch of like-dil anietered articles, in combination. a receptacle havin sides forming a conical flare. and an inclined traveling bottom proieeting into said Ilare and arranged at a distance from said sides to provide a passage, there being anv outlet adjacent said bottom of a diameter having a length less than twice the diameter of the articles to be fed thereb'y to maintain a single file arrangement of said articles; st xbstaiitially as described.

4.`In a 4feeding hopper for individually feeding the elements of a batch of lilcedi ametered articles, iii combination` a receptaclc having flaring walls. a rotatable coniv cal bottom projectingr Within the flare and spaced from said walls to provide a passage and a. Wall for closing said ,assage, there' being an outlet in said wall rom said pas. sage and adjacent the peripheryl of said bottom ina. line substantiall)r ata tangent thereto and having a diameter of a lengt-h less than twice the diameter of. the articles to be fed thereby to maintain a single. tile arrangement of said articles; siibstantiallv as described. I

5. In a feeding hop er for individuali)y feeding the elements o a batch of like-cliametered articles, in combination. a receptacle having flaring walls with substantially smooth surfaces, a rotatable conical bottom having substantially smooth surfaces and projecting within the flare and spaced from said walls to provide a passage having suhstantially smooth walls,'and a wall for clos4 ingsaid passage., Vthere being an oiitletn said wall from said passage and 4adjacent the periphery. ofsaid bottoni ina linesiibstantially ata tangent thereto and of -a vli ametelr Aharing alent-li 'less than twicq'the es `to be fed thereby. to maintain a. single-.file 'arrangementuo .said articles; substantially asidescribed.

6, Iii a feeding hopper for balls aindlitbe' like. in coii'iliiiiatioii, ij'receptacle haring. substantially-sniootliisides-foiining a conical flare .and .an inclined traveling bottom have` if a igil'q naine and anni e.

'outlet in said wall from said passage,

nl@ message 1" there being an and is:

means whereby elements presenting various sized outlets may be substituted for said outlet; substantially as described.

8. In a device of the character indicated, 'a receptacle having flaring walls, a rotatable bottom adjacent, coperating with and spaced from said walls to provide a passage, a wall closing said passage, there being an outlet in said wall lfrom said assage, means for varying the size of sai passage, and means whereby elements presenting various sized outlets corresponding in size to the various sizes of said passage may be substituted for said outlet; substantially as described.

9. In a hopper, a receptacle having Haring walls, a rotatable bottom adjacent, coperating with and spaced from said walls to provide an article passage, and a wall for closing said passage, such wall including a removable block provided with an outlet communicating with said passage; substantially as described.

l0. In a device of the character indicated, a receptacle having flaring walls, a rotatable conical bottom projecting within said Hare and spaced from said walls to provide a passage having parallel sides, a Wall for closing said passage, and means for varying the width of said passage; substantially as described.

11. In a device of the character indicated, a receptacle having flaring walls,a rotatable conical bottom projecting within said iare and spaced from said walls to provide a passage having parallel sides, a wall closin said passage2 there being an outlet in sai wall from said passage, and means for varying the size of said outlet; substantially as described.

12. In a device of the character indicated, a` receptacle having flaring walls, a rotatable conical bottom projecting within said Hare and spaced from said walls to provide a. passage, a wall closing said passage, there being an outlet in said wall from said passage, means for varying the size of said pas` sage, and means whereby Varig s sized outlets corresponding in size te the4` arious sizes of said passage may be substituted for said outlet; substantially as described.

13. In a hopper, a receptacle having flaring walls, a rotatable bottom projecting within said .Hare and spaced from said walls to provide an article passage, and a wall for closing said passage, such wall including a removable block provided with an outlet communicating with said passage; substantially as descrlbed.

14. In a hopper, a base having a shaft aperture, a receptacle having sides and carried by said base, an axially adjustable rotatable bottom for said receptacle arranged at a distance from said sides to provide an article passage said passage being adjustable as to width by virtue of said axial adjustment, and means for effecting the rotatable support and axial adjustment of said bottom, such means comprising a shaft passing through said aperture and carrying said bottom and means for axially moving saidshaft and for supporting the same comprising a sleeve adjustabl mounted in said aperture and a bearing or said shaft supported by said sleeve and operatively connected with said shaft to support the same; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT F. ROCKWELL.

Witnesses:

CHAs. T. TnmnwAY, M. B. Trronrn.

various sizes of said passage may be substi-` tuted for said outlet; substantially as described. v

9. In a hopper, a receptacle having daring walls, a rotatable bottom adjacent, coperating with and spaced from said walls to .provide an article passage, and a wall for closing' said passage, such Wall including a removable block provided with an outlet communicating with said. passage; substantially as described.

10. In a device of the character indicated, a receptacle having flaring walls, a rotatable conical bottom projecting within said flare and spaced from said walls to provide a pasf sage having parallel sides, a Wall for closingl said passage, and means for varying the width of said passage; substantially as described. y

11. Inl a device of the character indicated, a receptacle having flaring walls,"a rotatable conical bottom projecting within said flare Correction in Letters-Patent No.1,173,30iJ

and spaced from said walls to provide a passage having parallel sides, a wall closing said passage, there being an outlet in said wall from said passage, and means for varying the size of said outlet; substantially as described.

12. In a device of the character indicated,

a'receptacle having Haring walls, a rotatable [anun] Cl.V 83-44.

conical bottom projecting within said flare and spaced from said walls to provide a passage, a wall closing said passage, there being an outlet in said wall from said passage, means for varying thel size of said passage, and means whereby vari lsized outlets corresponding in size to; thilfsarious sizes of said passage may be substituted for said outlet; substantially as described.k

13. In a hopper, a receptacle having ilar-- ing walls, a rotatable bottom projecting within said .flare and spaced from said walls to provide an article passage, and a wall for closing said passage, such wall including a removable block provided with an outlet communicating with said passage; substantially as described.

14. In a hopper, a base having a shaft aperture, a receptacle having sides and carried by said base, an axially adjustable rotatable bottom for said receptacle'arranged at a distance from said sides to provide an article passage said passage being adjustable as to width by virtue of said axial adjustment, and means for effecting the rotatable support and axial adjustment of said bottom, such means comprising a shaft passing through said aperture and carrying said bottom and means for axially moving said shaft and for supporting the same comprising a sleeve adjustabl mounted in said aperture and a bearing or said shaft supported by said sleeve and operatively connected with said shaft to support the same; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aiX my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT F. ROCKWELL.

Witnesses:

CHAs. T. TREADWAY, M, B. THoRrn.

j It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent Noi-,1,173,308, granted February 29, 1916, upon the application of Albert F'. Rockwell, pf Bristol, (loirinecticut,v for an improvement in l-Ioppers, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows:H Page 2*,rline 39 ,vfor the Word Hpassages read passage; and am the Said Latem Patent Should-be @mwah this @traction therein um are Asame mayv conform to the record of the case in the Patent Olllce` I Signed andV sealed this 1st day of August, A. D., 1916.v

a. w. H. CLAY, Acting Uommieonef of Patents.,

Correction in Letters Patent No.1,173,308

It isi hereby certified that. in Letters Patent No. 1,173,308, granted February 29,

1916, upon the application of Albrt F. Rockwell, 4of Bristol, Connecticut, for un improvoment in Hoppers, an error appears iu the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 2, line 39, for th'e word "passages read passage; and

that the said Lettens Patent should be read with this correction therein that the l 4same mayconform lo the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this lst day of August, A. D., 1916.

if. W. H. CLAY,

Acting Uommiumcr of Patente.

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